Process for oxidizing alkyl aromatic compounds

1. A process for oxidizing an alkyl-aromatic compound comprising:

contacting the alkyl-aromatic compound, a solvent comprising an ionic liquid, a bromine source, a catalyst, and an oxidizing agent in a first reaction zone to produce a first product comprising a first mother liquor and at least one of an aromatic alcohol, an aromatic aldehyde, an aromatic ketone, and an aromatic carboxylic acid; and adding at least a portion of the first mother liquor to the first reactor;

wherein a cation of the ionic liquid is formed from a compound selected from imidazoles, pyrazoles, thiazoles, isothiazoles, azathiozoles, oxothiazoles, oxazines, oxazolines, oxazaboroles, dithiozoles, triazoles, selenozoles, oxaphospholes, pyrroles, boroles, furans, thiphenes, phospholes, pentazoles, indoles, indolines, oxazoles, isothirazoles, tetrazoles, benzofuran, dibenzofurans, benzothiophenes, dibenzothoiphenes, thiadiazoles, pyrdines, pyrimidines, pyrazines, pyridazines, piperazines, piperidines, morpholines, pyrans, annolines, phthalazines, quinazolines, quinoxalines, or combinations thereof; and

wherein an anion of the ionic liquid is halides, borides, phosphates, arsenates, stibates, acetate, carboxylates, azolates, sulfates, acyl units, CO 3 2− ; NO 2 1− , NO 3 1− , SO 4 2− ,PO 4 3− , (CF 3 )SO 3 1− , combinations thereof, or derivatives thereof.

2. A process for oxidizing an alkyl-aromatic compound comprising:

contacting the alkyl-aromatic compound, a solvent comprising an ionic liquid, a bromine source, a catalyst, and an oxidizing agent in a first reaction zone to produce a first product comprising a first mother liquor and at least one of an aromatic alcohol, an aromatic aldehyde, an aromatic ketone, and an aromatic carboxylic acid; and

contacting at least a portion of the first product, a second solvent comprising a second ionic liquid, a second bromine source, a second catalyst, and a second oxidizing agent in a second reaction zone to produce a second product comprising a second mother liquor and at least one of the aromatic aromatic alcohol, the aromatic aldehyde, the aromatic ketone, and the aromatic carboxylic acid

wherein a cation of the ionic liquid is formed from a compound selected from imidazoles, pyrazoles, thiazoles, isothiazoles, azathiozoles, oxothiazoles, oxazines, oxazolines, oxazaboroles, dithiozoles, triazoles, selenozoles, oxaphospholes, pyrroles, boroles, furans, thiphenes, phospholes, pentazoles, indoles, indolines, oxazoles, isothirazoles, tetrazoles, benzofuran, dibenzofurans, benzothiophenes, dibenzothoiphenes, thiadiazoles, pyrdines, pyrimidines, pyrazines, pyridazines, piperazines, piperidines, morpholines, pyrans, annolines, phthalazines, quinazolines, quinoxalines, or combinations thereof; and

wherein an anion of the ionic liquid is halides, borides, phosphates, arsenates, stibates, acetate, carboxylates, azolates, sulfates, acyl units, CO 3 2− ; NO 2 1− , NO 3 1− ,SO 4 2− ,PO 4 3− , (CF 3 )SO 3 1− , combinations thereof, or derivatives thereof.

3. The process of claim 2 , further comprising:

adding at least a portion of the second mother liquor to one or both of the contacting steps.

4. A process for oxidizing an alkyl-aromatic compound comprising:

contacting the alkyl-aromatic compound, a solvent comprising an ionic liquid, a bromine source, a catalyst, and an oxidizing agent in a first reaction zone to produce a first product comprising a first mother liquor and at least one of an aromatic alcohol, an aromatic aldehyde, an aromatic ketone, and an aromatic carboxylic acid

crystallizing at least a portion of the at least one of aromatic aromatic alcohol, the aromatic aldehyde, the aromatic ketone, and the aromatic carboxylic acid

wherein a cation of the ionic liquid is formed from a compound selected from imidazoles, pyrazoles, thiazoles, isothiazoles, azathiozoles, oxothiazoles, oxazines, oxazolines, oxazaboroles, dithiozoles, triazoles, selenozoles, oxaphospholes, pyrroles, boroles, furans, thiphenes, phospholes, pentazoles, indoles, indolines, oxazoles, isothirazoles, tetrazoles, benzofuran, dibenzofurans, benzothiophenes, dibenzothoiphenes, thiadiazoles, pyrdines, pyrimidines, pyrazines, pyridazines, piperazines, piperidines, morpholines, pyrans, annolines, phthalazines, quinazolines, quinoxalines, or combinations thereof; and

wherein an anion of the ionic liquid is halides, borides, phosphates, arsenates, stibates, acetate, carboxylates, azolates, sulfates, acyl units, CO 3 2− ; NO 2 1 , NO 3 1− , SO 4 2− , PO 4 3− , (CF 3 )SO 3 1− , combinations thereof, or derivatives thereof.

5. The process of claim 3 , further comprising:

separating the second mother liquor from the crystallized at least one of aromatic aromatic alcohol, the aromatic aldehyde, the aromatic ketone, and the aromatic carboxylic acid.

6. A process for oxidizing an alkyl-aromatic compound comprising:

contacting the alkyl-aromatic compound, a solvent comprising an ionic liquid, a bromine source, a catalyst, and an oxidizing agent in a first reaction zone to produce a first product comprising a first mother liquor and at least one of an aromatic alcohol, an aromatic aldehyde, an aromatic ketone, and an aromatic carboxylic acid;

wherein a cation of the ionic liquid is formed from a compound selected from imidazoles, pyrazoles, thiazoles, isothiazoles, azathiozoles, oxothiazoles, oxazines, oxazolines, oxazaboroles, dithiozoles, triazoles, selenozoles, oxaphospholes, pyrroles, boroles, furans, thiphenes, phospholes, pentazoles, indoles, indolines, oxazoles, isothirazoles, tetrazoles, benzofuran, dibenzofurans, benzothiophenes, dibenzothoiphenes, thiadiazoles, pyrdines, pyrimidines, pyrazines, pyridazines, piperazines, piperidines, morpholines, pyrans, annolines, phthalazines, quinazolines, quinoxalines, or combinations thereof; and

wherein an anion of the ionic liquid is halides, borides, phosphates, arsenates, stibates, acetate, carboxylates, azolates, sulfates, acyl units, CO 3 2− ; NO 2 1− , NO 2 1− , NO 3 1 − , SO 4 2− ,PO 4 3− , (CF 3 )SO 3 1 , combinations thereof, or derivatives thereof.

7. A process for oxidizing an alkyl-aromatic compound comprising:

contacting the alkyl-aromatic compound, a solvent comprising an ionic liquid, a bromine source, a catalyst, and an oxidizing agent in a first reaction zone to produce a first product comprising a first mother liquor and at least one of an aromatic alcohol, an aromatic aldehyde, an aromatic ketone, and an aromatic carboxylic acid; and wherein the solvent comprises a carboxylic acid and the solvent has a ratio of the carboxylic acid to the ionic liquid within a range of about 1:10 to about 10:1 by weight

wherein a cation of the ionic liquid is formed from a compound selected from imidazoles, pyrazoles, thiazoles, isothiazoles, azathiozoles, oxothiazoles, oxazines, oxazolines, oxazaboroles, dithiozoles, triazoles, selenozoles, oxaphospholes, pyrroles, boroles, furans, thiphenes, phospholes, pentazoles, indoles, indolines, oxazoles, isothirazoles, tetrazoles, benzofuran, dibenzofurans, benzothiophenes, dibenzothoiphenes, thiadiazoles, pyrdines, pyrimidines, pyrazines, pyridazines, piperazines, piperidines, morpholines, pyrans, annolines, phthalazines, quinazolines, quinoxalines, or combinations thereof; and

wherein an anion of the ionic liquid is halides, borides, phosphates, arsenates, stibates, acetate, carboxylates, azolates, sulfates, acyl units CO 3 2− ; NO 2 1− , NO 3 1− ,SO 4 2− ,PO 4 3− , (CF 3 )SO 3 1− , combinations thereof, or derivatives thereof.

8. The process of claim 6 , wherein the contacting step is performed under oxidation conditions.

9. The process of claim 8 , wherein the oxidizing conditions comprise a temperature ranging from about 25° C. to about 275° C. and a pressure ranging from about 0 MPa(g) to about 6 MPa(g).

10. The process of claim 6 , wherein the catalyst comprises at least one of cobalt, titanium, manganese, chromium, copper, nickel, vanadium, iron, molybdenum, tin, cerium, or zirconium.

11. The process of claim 6 , wherein the solvent further comprises a carboxylic acid.

12. A process for oxidizing an alkyl-aromatic compound comprising:

contacting the alkyl-aromatic compound, a solvent comprising an ionic liquid, a bromine source, a catalyst, and an oxidizing agent in a first reaction zone to produce a first product comprising a first mother liquor and at least one of an aromatic alcohol, an aromatic aldehyde, an aromatic ketone, and an aromatic carboxylic acid; and

purifying the at least one of the aromatic alcohol, the aromatic aldehyde, the aromatic ketone, and the aromatic carboxylic acid

wherein a cation of the ionic liquid is formed from a compound selected from imidazoles, pyrazoles, thiazoles, isothiazoles, azathiozoles, oxothiazoles, oxazines, oxazolines, oxazaboroles, dithiozoles, triazoles, selenozoles, oxaphospholes, pyrroles, boroles, furans, thiphenes, phospholes, pentazoles, indoles, indolines, oxazoles, isothirazoles, tetrazoles, benzofuran, dibenzofurans, benzothiophenes, dibenzothoiphenes, thiadiazoles, pyrdines, pyrimidines, pyrazines, pyridazines, piperazines, piperidines, morpholines, pyrans, annolines, phthalazines, quinazolines, quinoxalines, or combinations thereof; and

wherein an anion of the ionic liquid is halides, borides, phosphates, arsenates, stibates, acetate, carboxylates, azolates, sulfates, acyl units, CO 3 2− ; NO 2 1− ,NO 3 1− , SO 4 2− ,PO 4 3− , (CF 3 )SO 3 1− , combinations thereof, or derivatives thereof.

13. The process of claim 12 , wherein purifying the at least one of the aromatic alcohol, the aromatic aldehyde, the aromatic ketone, and the aromatic carboxylic acid comprises contacting at least a portion of at least one of the aromatic alcohol, the aromatic aldehyde, the aromatic ketone, and the aromatic carboxylic acid with a third solvent comprising an ionic liquid.

14. A process for oxidizing an alkyl-aromatic compound comprising:

contacting the alkyl-aromatic compound, a solvent comprising an ionic liquid, a bromine source, a catalyst, and an oxidizing agent in a first reaction zone to produce a first product comprising a first mother liquor and at least one of an aromatic alcohol, an aromatic aldehyde, an aromatic ketone, and an aromatic carboxylic acid;

wherein the oxidation product contains less than about 2500 ppm of 4-carboxybenzaldehyde

wherein a cation of the ionic liquid is formed from a compound selected from imidazoles, pyrazoles, thiazoles, isothiazoles, azathiozoles, oxothiazoles, oxazines, oxazolines, oxazaboroles, dithiozoles, triazoles, selenozoles, oxaphospholes, pyrroles, boroles, furans, thiphenes, phospholes, pentazoles, indoles, indolines, oxazoles, isothirazoles, tetrazoles, benzofuran, dibenzofurans, benzothiophenes, dibenzothoiphenes, thiadiazoles, pyrdines, pyrimidines, pyrazines, pyridazines, piperazines, piperidines, morpholines, pyrans, annolines, phthalazines, quinazolines, quinoxalines, or combinations thereof; and

wherein an anion of the ionic liquid is halides, borides, phosphates, arsenates, stibates, acetate, carboxylates, azolates, sulfates, acyl units, CO 3 2− ; NO 2 1− , NO 3 1− , SO 4 2− , PO 4 3− , (CF 3 )SO 3 1− ,combinations thereof, or derivatives thereof.

15. A process for oxidizing an alkyl-aromatic compound comprising:

contacting the alkyl-aromatic compound, a solvent comprising an ionic liquid, a bromine source, a catalyst, and an oxidizing agent in a first reaction zone to produce a first product comprising a first mother liquor and at least one of an aromatic alcohol, an aromatic aldehyde, an aromatic ketone, and an aromatic carboxylic acid;

wherein the oxidation product contains less than about 500 ppm of 4-carboxybenzaldehyde

wherein a cation of the ionic liquid is formed from a compound selected from imidazoles, pyrazoles, thiazoles, isothiazoles, azathiozoles, oxothiazoles, oxazines, oxazolines, oxazaboroles, dithiozoles, triazoles, selenozoles, oxaphospholes, pyrroles, boroles, furans, thiphenes, phospholes, pentazoles, indoles, indolines, oxazoles, isothirazoles, tetrazoles, benzofuran, dibenzofurans, benzothiophenes, dibenzothoiphenes, thiadiazoles, pyrdines, pyrimidines, pyrazines, pyridazines, piperazines, piperidines, morpholines, pyrans, annolines, phthalazines, quinazolines, quinoxalines, or combinations thereof; and

wherein an anion of the ionic liquid is halides, borides, phosphates, arsenates, stibates, acetate, carboxylates, azolates, sulfates, acyl units, CO 3 2− ; NO 2 1− , NO 3 1− ,SO 4 2− ,PO 4 3− , (CF 3 )SO 3 1- , combinations thereof, or derivatives thereof.

16. A process for oxidizing an alkyl-aromatic compound comprising:

contacting the alkyl-aromatic compound, a solvent comprising an ionic liquid, a bromine source, a catalyst, and an oxidizing agent in a first reaction zone to produce a first product comprising a first mother liquor and at least one of an aromatic alcohol, an aromatic aldehyde, an aromatic ketone, and an aromatic carboxylic acid;

wherein the contacting step further comprises adding an ionic solid or a material capable of forming an ionic salt

wherein a cation of the ionic liquid is formed from a compound selected from imidazoles, pyrazoles, thiazoles, isothiazoles, azathiozoles, oxothiazoles, oxazines, oxazolines, oxazaboroles, dithiozoles, triazoles, selenozoles, oxaphospholes, pyrroles, boroles, furans, thiphenes, phospholes, pentazoles, indoles, indolines, oxazoles, isothirazoles, tetrazoles, benzofuran, dibenzofurans, benzothiophenes, dibenzothoiphenes, thiadiazoles, pyrdines, pyrimidines, pyrazines, pyridazines, piperazines, piperidines, morpholines, pyrans, annolines, phthalazines, quinazolines, quinoxalines, or combinations thereof; and

wherein an anion of the ionic liquid is halides, borides, phosphates, arsenates, stibates, acetate, carboxylates, azolates, sulfates, acyl units, CO 3 2− ; NO 2 1 , NO 3 1− , SO 4 2− , PO 4 3− , (CF 3 )SO 3 1− , combinations thereof, or derivatives thereof.

17. A process for oxidizing an alkyl-aromatic compound comprising:

contacting the alkyl-aromatic compound, a solvent comprising an ionic liquid, a bromine source, a catalyst, and an oxidizing agent in a first reaction zone to produce a first product comprising a first mother liquor and at least one of an aromatic alcohol, an aromatic aldehyde, an aromatic ketone, and an aromatic carboxylic acid; and

crystallizing at least a portion of the at least one of aromatic aromatic alcohol, the aromatic aldehyde, the aromatic ketone, and the aromatic carboxylic acid

wherein a cation of the ionic liquid is formed from a compound selected from imidazoles, pyrazoles, thiazoles, isothiazoles, azathiozoles, oxothiazoles, oxazines, oxazolines, oxazaboroles, dithiozoles, triazoles, selenozoles, oxaphospholes, pyrroles, boroles, furans, thiphenes, phospholes, pentazoles, indoles, indolines, oxazoles, isothirazoles, tetrazoles, benzofuran, dibenzofurans, benzothiophenes, dibenzothoiphenes, thiadiazoles, pyrdines, pyrimidines, pyrazines, pyridazines, piperazines, piperidines, morpholines, pyrans, annolines, phthalazines, quinazolines, quinoxalines, or combinations thereof; and

wherein an anion of the ionic liquid is halides, borides, phosphates, arsenates, stibates, acetate, carboxylates, azolates, sulfates, acyl units, CO 3 2− ; NO 2 1− , NO 3 1− ,SO 4 2− , PO 4 3− , (CF 3 )SO 3 1− , combinations thereof, or derivatives thereof.

18. The process of claim 17 , further comprising:

adding at least a portion of the first mother liquor to the first reactor.